John R. Wilmoth, Director, DESA’s Population Division, United Nations

John R. Wilmoth is the Director of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division at the UN.  The Population Division has a myriad of excellent reports, studies and conferences, many of which can be viewed at: www.un.org/development/desa/pd/  Health is a human right and a centerpiece of sustainable development, recognized in various United Nations commitments, including the outcome of the International Conference on Population and Development held in 1994 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted in 2015, commonly called the Sustainable Development Goals.  Despite earlier gains, progress on many health indicators has stalled in recent years. These issues were discussed at the recent 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development that took place from 7 to 11 April 2025 at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.  One of several themes was to focus on health care for all, which is a universal right.